Thanks for visiting Lincoln Buff 2, where I share my passion for the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Whether you're just beginning to explore Lincoln's life or are a Lincoln buff, too, join me in learning more about our sixteenth president. Check out my bicentennial year posts, where some of the information is timeless. I'm also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lincolnbuff2, with more posts, not all Lincoln-related. Welcome! Ann Tracy Mueller

Young Lincoln

See this exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A little more than one hundred and four score years ago Abraham Lincoln set out on a flatboat journey from Rockport, Indiana to New Orleans, Louisiana. Today I set out on a maiden voyage, navigating new waters as a first-time blogger. I cannot say now where this journey will take me or how it will benefit any of us. I'm not yet sure how I'll use it or how often I'll post. Time will tell, I suppose.

A promise keptOne thing I do know is that I vowed several years ago I would not let the bicentennial of Lincoln's Feb. 12, 1809 birth pass without delving deeper into Lincoln myself. The day approaches, the celebrations have begun and I've kept that promise.

I'm taking a course, The Life and Times of Abraham Lincoln, at Heartland Community College. Central Illinois is rich in Lincoln tradition, so a number of organizations are also honoring Lincoln's legacy by bringing in speakers and hosting other Lincoln-related events. I've had the blessing of attending several of these. In future blogs, I hope to share a little about these happenings and the other Lincoln scholars and aficionados I've met.

A plethera of Lincoln booksMy first effort as a blogger is to share titles of some of the Lincoln-related books with which I am most familiar. I'm still trying to determine the best way to share the plethera of books I'd like to tell you about, without having you have to scroll till the cows come home. So, for now, I'll show you ten at a time - my favorite books or favorite authors first, with others rotating into view over time. The list is in no way all-inclusive, as more books have been written about Lincoln than about anyone except Jesus Christ. It's just the books I know or have in mind as I compile my listing.

Some of the authors have served as mentors to me as I've delved into Illinois history and literature and into Lincoln studies. Some have been there to answer a question now and then, while others have nurtured me tirelessly or encouraged me to pursue my passion.

Thanks, Lincoln scholarsTo all, I say thanks. Sharing the word about your books is one way I can reciprocate, but never enough to thank you for your labors of love and the examples you set.